Refinancing question...

[codimom]

Hi! Normally Im hanging out in the Credit Card area, but I have a Refi question so I came here first.

I am in the process of doing a HARP refi, and after sending in all the paperwork my broker told me "I" have a judgment against me.  So i immediately pull all 3 of my reports from MyFICO.  Nope, no public records.  Then I look up the company and I think the judgement was from my EX husband. 

now for the question...if it doesnt show up on any of MY reports, where did THEY see it?  i know its not mine, but proving it is gonna be fun...

Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

Sorry I can't help with the issue you're posting about but I'm curious, mind sharing any info on what you're doing for the HARP? Any issues with applying? Pretty easy? I'd like to look into it more but have a 30 day on my mortgage from July this year. Don't think they'll allow that.

[frugalQ]

I believe judgments come up in the title search if there's a lien put on your house because of it.

Judgements are not automatically put on your credit report by the courts.  Companies have people who search the public records for judgements and then have them added to the person's credit file.  At least that is what was explained to me a couple of years ago when i paid an old judgement.

[StartingOver10]

To see your judgements, go to the Clerk of Courts for your county and look up the public records section. Put in your name and you will see the judgements against you.

It is a normal step in the loan process for the lender to have the title company run a public records search so you may as well check it out before you start the process. The judgments may or may not be on your credit report. It doesn't really matter because the public records will be searched anyway so if you pull your own report, then you can handle whatever it is prior to making a mortgage application. You are better off taking care of a judgement before the mortgage inquiry shows on your report. If you wait until after the inquiry, the judgement/lienholder will be less negotiable because they know you want to either refinance or buy something.